The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1887-03-19
A W0MAN'S HIGHEST AMBITION
BY MINNIE MYERS BILLINGS.

81 MINNIE MYERS BILLINGS.
Ii this was personal question to
each one OF us, according to our con-
ceptlons OF ambition, the answers
would be numerous and unlike. Some
would say, to behappy and contented;
others to be good housekeepers; and
still others TO marry well. But, after
some thought, think none will hesi-
tate to agree with me in affirming pos
itively that usefulness should be the
highest ambition of woman.
Usefulness is being good and doing
good. To possess the moral excel
lence of true womanhood should be
the highest ambition OF woman. To
possess true womanhood, in the strict
est and highest sense of the word, is
to be the most exalted thing under
the heavens. Something more than B.
woman in stature; something more
than sheen and simmer of satin and
gems, pleasing appearance and pretty
manners; something more than belle,
wife or mother. Put all these qualifi-
cations together they would, indeed,
do but little toward inventing the
ideal woman. A woman's worth
should be valued by the integrity of
her heart, the nobleness of her soul
and the purity of her character, which
ever raises her above what islow and
mean. A generous nature, finding out
let in gentle words and kind remem-
brance OF others, reaches farther than
money or intellectual abilities can. A
kindly disposition and well balanced
temper will assert loveliness and at
tractiveness in the plainest face and
homeliesu figure. We believe that a
young lady, by her constant example
OF generosity and self-forgetfulness,
may exert an untold power for good.
We should all bear in mind that our
Creator has designed US a nobler des-
tiny than living for ourselves alone
that of doing good to others-of max
ing those around US happy; with a no.
bleness of soul disdaining injustice and
meannees. Our influence may be
small, and we may be insensible to its
secret and silent power, but we can no
more avoid exerting an influence by
our deeds, by our words and our
thoughts, than we can live without
breathing. By kindness and self-for-
getfulness we can bea light to illun.ine,
or by jealousy and self-centeredness
we can be a tempest to destroy. We
should guard with great care, then, the
influence we are exerting, searching
| well our habits in order to form the
best, that We may be useful. Hearts
are twisty hiding-places for wrong
things, and unless we conquer our evil
thoughts and motives they will con-
quer US and lay waste to our peace
and happiness. We want to be gentle,
kind and honorable in our actions.
What one effects depends upon what
one is. Therefore to give grace unto
our work We must put our whole
hearts into all that we do.
We cannot long deceive the world
about our true characters, and every
woman should feel that Just what she
is, at heart, is what she will appear to
be although she may attempt to ap-
pear otherwise, because the heart 8
feelings will come to the surface in
spite Of all.
Pure thought is the foundation OF
all good, and in no case should We neg.
lect the cultivation OF our minds; but
the spare moments should be devoted
to profitable reading and study, Gull
ing the choicest thoughts from good
books and papers; also seeking the
society OF those who possess superior
merits, thus cultivating the intellect
more we may be better prepared to
tuat ,the new opportunities OF useful.
ness that may present themselves.
In conclusion, then, We would say,
that the highest ambition of every
woman should be, in the good that
she can do.